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A comic-book classic with timely resonance: Blazing Combat was anAmerican war-comics magazine published by Warren Publishing from 1965 to 1966.Written and edited by Archie Goodwin , with artwork by such industry notables asGene Colan , Fran
Following the success of their EC-inspired horror anthology [b:Creepy|2849538|Creepy Archives (Archive Editions (Graphic Novels))|Various|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61bHf7HgxzL._SL75_.jpg|2875661], publisher James Warren and editor [a:Archie Goodwin|44712|Archie Goodwin|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] began Blazing Combat in 1965. The new magazine employed a similar format, using many of the same artists of the previous Warren publication -- [a:Joe Orlando|80547|Joe Orlando|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], [a:Reed Crandall|220178|Reed Crandall|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], [a:John Severin|54921|John Severin|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], [a:Al Williamson|92186|Al Williamson|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], [a:Gray Morrow|324217|Gray Morrow|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], [a:Russ Heath|54917|Russ Heath|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], [a:Alex Toth|62990|Alex Toth|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], and [a:Wally Wood|80540|Wally Wood|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]. Like Creepy, Blazing Combat also featured [a:Frank Frazetta|142759|Frank Frazetta|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] covers, and Goodwin scripts in a magazine format. But unlike its predecessor, Blazing Combat died an ignoble death after just four issues. Fantagraphics collects the complete run and outlines the whole sordid history via interviews with Warren and Goodwin in the handsome hardback Blazing Combat.
Modeling the content after [a:Harvey Kurtzman|80542|Harvey Kurtzman|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]'s legendary EC comics [b:Two-Fisted Tales|1154252|EC Archives Two-Fisted Tales Volume 1 (EC Archives)|Harvey Kurtzman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181446275s/1154252.jpg|1141752] and [a:Frontline Combat|80542|Harvey Kurtzman|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], Goodwin focused on the grim realities of war. The American public in 1965, a broad majority of which supported the newly-escalating involvement in Vietnam, proved ill suited for the new comic.
[War is:] a crazy way to settle things and you could be very sympathetic to the people who were stuck with having to fight them. —Archie Goodwin
The first story of issue one ("Viet-Cong!") focused on the mistakes made by American soldiers in Vietnam and included scenes of torture and killing of villagers. Goodwin and artist Orlando teamed up for two more Vietnam stories, both well-rendered morality plays. Their most famous and controversial tale ("Landscape!" from Issue 2) related the tale of a Vietnamese rice farmer whose life is inextricably altered by the ongoing conflict.
After the second issue, the military banned Blazing Combat from bases citing the anti-war stance. The American Legion also protested, and most distributors stopped carrying the magazine. The quarterly publication limped on for another two issues.
If the censors had delved beneath the perceived bias, they would have discovered some of the finest war stories and illustration in the medium's history. Goodwin and his cadre of contributors detailed the uniquely personal views of soldiers and civilians through several engagements: the Revolutionary War, the U.S. Civil War, Indian Wars, both World Wars, and the Korean War, with a side trip through the Ancient Greek battle at Thermopylae. The dynamic art leaps off the pages throughout. In particular, Toth and Morrow created some of the best works of their long careers. Goodwin actually celebrated soldiers, sailors, and airmen rather denigrated them. Without leaning on glory and sensationalism, Blazing Combat focused on heroism, sacrifice, and dignity.
Archie [Goodwin:] was a prophet in his own time. He knew. He didn't have to wait until 1973 to find out that the war was a mistake. —James Warren
Although the comics in this collection are astounding — as I’d expect, since they’re written by Archie Goodwin and drawn by such noted talents as Joe Orlando, Gray Morrow, John Severin, Angelo Torres, Alex Toth, and Wally Wood — it’s the story behind the comic I found most interesting.
A comic-book classic with timely resonance: Blazing Combat was anAmerican war-comics magazine published by Warren Publishing from 1965 to 1966.Written and edited by Archie Goodwin , with artwork by such industry notables asGene Colan , Fran
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(4.33)
1
Modeling the content after [a:Harvey Kurtzman|80542|Harvey Kurtzman|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]'s legendary EC comics [b:Two-Fisted Tales|1154252|EC Archives Two-Fisted Tales Volume 1 (EC Archives)|Harvey Kurtzman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181446275s/1154252.jpg|1141752] and [a:Frontline Combat|80542|Harvey Kurtzman|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg], Goodwin focused on the grim realities of war. The American public in 1965, a broad majority of which supported the newly-escalating involvement in Vietnam, proved ill suited for the new comic.
[War is:] a crazy way to settle things and you could be very sympathetic to the people who were stuck with having to fight them.
—Archie Goodwin
The first story of issue one ("Viet-Cong!") focused on the mistakes made by American soldiers in Vietnam and included scenes of torture and killing of villagers. Goodwin and artist Orlando teamed up for two more Vietnam stories, both well-rendered morality plays. Their most famous and controversial tale ("Landscape!" from Issue 2) related the tale of a Vietnamese rice farmer whose life is inextricably altered by the ongoing conflict.
After the second issue, the military banned Blazing Combat from bases citing the anti-war stance. The American Legion also protested, and most distributors stopped carrying the magazine. The quarterly publication limped on for another two issues.
If the censors had delved beneath the perceived bias, they would have discovered some of the finest war stories and illustration in the medium's history. Goodwin and his cadre of contributors detailed the uniquely personal views of soldiers and civilians through several engagements: the Revolutionary War, the U.S. Civil War, Indian Wars, both World Wars, and the Korean War, with a side trip through the Ancient Greek battle at Thermopylae. The dynamic art leaps off the pages throughout. In particular, Toth and Morrow created some of the best works of their long careers. Goodwin actually celebrated soldiers, sailors, and airmen rather denigrated them. Without leaning on glory and sensationalism, Blazing Combat focused on heroism, sacrifice, and dignity.
Archie [Goodwin:] was a prophet in his own time. He knew. He didn't have to wait until 1973 to find out that the war was a mistake.
—James Warren
This review originally appeared in "War on Two Fronts", Nexus Graphica May 1 2009. (